Preview: City Council Meeting Aug. 9

Tuesday night's Mayor and Council meeting will be preceded by public discussions regarding changes to the city's code of ethics, suggested animal adoption fees, and the fiscal year 2011 operating and capital budget. The hearings will begin at 7:15 p.m., and there is 15 minutes allotted for each of the three ordinances.

The regular city council meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The regular council meeting will be followed by a work session discussion of the use of speed camera revenue.

All will be held in the council chambers of , 4500 Knox Road, and are open to the public.

This is some of what to expect for Tuesday's regular meeting:

Congressional and State Redistricting
The council will vote on whether or not to approve a letter intended for the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, requesting that College Park be contained within the same voting district.

Budget Amendment
The council will vote on whether or not to adopt an amendment to the fiscal year 2011 budget that replaces some public safety funds with a portion of speed camera revenue, processing costs, and contract police to certify the tickets. This amendment will be discussed at the 7:45 p.m. public hearing.

A discussion regarding the use of speed camera revenue will take place at the work session following the council meeting.

Animal Adoption Fees
The council will vote to set . The purpose of the adoption fees is to partially compensate for medical expenses incurred prior to the adoption while the animals were under the care of the city's shelter. The public hearing regarding this issue will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers. The proposed fees are as follows:

One adult cat, $75
Two adult cats, $120
One kitten, $100
Two kittens, $150
Adult dog, $120
Other species, $75
Fee waived for seniors and disabled adopters.
Microchip placement (identification device), $30

Salary for Board of Election Supervisors
The council will vote on an amendment that discontinues salary payment for members for non-election years (aside from the chief of the board). The amendment, if passed, would not go into effect until March 2013, when new members for the Board of are approved.

WorkLive Program
The council will vote to loosen the eligibility requirement for those interested in purchasing a house through the WorkLive College Park grant program. Currently, only those working within the city can be approved to buy a home through the program. The motion, if passed, will expand applicant eligibility to those who work in adjacent cities.

Looney's Pub
The council will decide whether or not to oppose a beer, wine and liquor at 8150 Baltimore Ave., aiming to open by the middle of September.

Sustainable Maryland Certified
The council will vote on whether or not to support the city's participation in the Sustainable Maryland Certified program, which encourages municipalities to develop green initiative action plans. As a city achieves the strategies outlined in the plan, it earns points toward certification.